Automotive Technology

This course provides basic instruction in Fundamentals of Automotive Technology. This is a CORE course.

This course introduces the principles and laws of electricity. Emphasis is placed on wiring diagrams, test equipment, and identifying series, parallel and series-parallel circuits. Upon completion, students should be able to calculate, build, and measure circuits. This is a CORE course.

This course provides instruction in automotive technology or auto mechanics. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of brakes. ABR 223 Automotive Mechanical Components is a suitable substitute for this course. This is a CORE course.

This course provides instruction in automotive technology or auto mechanics. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of steering and suspension. This is a CORE course.

This course provides instruction on the operation, design, and superficial repair of automotive engines. Emphasis is placed on understanding the four stroke cycle, intake and exhaust manifolds and related parts, engine mechanical timing components, engine cooling and lubrication system principles and repairs, and basic fuel and ignition operation. This is a CORE course.

This course provides basic instruction in automotive drive trains and axles. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of basic internal and external operation relating to proper operation and driveability. This is a CORE course.

This course provides basic instruction in theory, operation, and repair of automotive heating and air conditioning systems. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and repair of vehicle air conditioning and heating systems, including but not limited to air management, electrical and vacuum controls, refrigerant recovery, and component replacement.

This is an intermediate course in automotive electrical and electronic systems. Emphasis is placed on troubleshooting and repair of battery, starting, charging, and lighting systems, subsystems, and components. This is a CORE course.

These courses constitute a series wherein the student works on a part-time basis in a job directly related to automotive mechanics. In these courses the employer evaluates the student’s productivity and the student submits a descriptive report of his work experiences. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate skills learned in an employment setting.

This course provides instruction in advanced automotive electrical and electronic systems. Emphasis is placed on troubleshooting and repair of advanced electrical and electronic systems, subsystems, and components.

This course provides in depth instruction concerning internal engine diagnosis, overhaul and repair, including but not necessarily limited to the replacement of timing chains, belts, and gears, as well as the replacement or reconditioning of valve train components as well as replacement of pistons, connecting rods, piston rings, bearings, lubrication system components, gaskets, and oil seals.

This course covers basic instruction in manual transmissions and transaxles. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of basic internal and external operation relating to proper operation and driveability.

This course provides basic instruction in automatic transmissions and transaxles. Emphasis is placed on the comprehension of principles and powerflow of automatic transmissions and repairing or replacing internal and external components. This is a CORE course.

This course provides basic instruction in engine performance with emphasis on fuel and ignition systems relating to engine operation. This is a CORE course.

This course provides advanced instruction in engine performance. Emphasis is placed on engine management and computer controls of ignition, fuel, and emissions systems relating to engine performance and driveability. This is a CORE course.

This is an introductory course in automotive emission systems. Emphasis is placed on troubleshooting and repair of systems, subsystems, and components.

At the end of each on-campus period, the student returns to the sponsoring dealership to complete this segment of the program working full-time under the supervision of the dealership student work coordinator. He/she is expected to complete work assignments in the dealership that will reinforce and parallel the course work just completed at the college. Although indicated as 10 contact hours, students generally work on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) at the dealership. An evaluation of the student’s in dealership work performance is completed by the dealership supervisor.

At the end of each on-campus period, the student returns to the sponsoring dealership to complete this segment of the program working full-time under the supervision of the dealership student work coordinator. He/she is expected to complete work assignments in the dealership that will reinforce and parallel the course work just completed at the college. Students generally work on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) at the dealership. An evaluation of the student’s in dealership work performance is completed by the dealership supervisor.

This course is designed to give the student knowledge of the diesel engine components and auxiliary systems, the proper way to maintain them, and the proper procedures for testing and rebuilding components. Emphasis is placed on safety, theory of operation, inspection, and measuring and rebuilding diesel engines according to factory specifications. Upon completion students should be able to measure, diagnose problems, and repair diesel engines. 

This course provides instruction on how to plan, develop and install equipment surveillance and reliability strategies. Descriptions of various maintenance techniques for specialized preventive programs are discussed and computerized parts and equipment inventories and fleet management systems software are emphasized. Upon completion, students should be able to set up and follow a preventive maintenance schedule as directed by manufacturers.

This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of agricultural and industrial tractor repair, maintenance, and basic service procedures. Emphasis is placed on operating and troubleshooting, agricultural and industrial equipment. Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, adjust, and repair industrial and agricultural equipment.  

This course focuses on roller, ball and shell bearing design and application. Topics include vehicle and industrial bearings and lubrication requirements. Upon course completion, students should diagnose related problems and service and replace bearings.

This course covers the theory and repair of braking systems used in medium and heavy duty vehicles.  Topics include hydraulic, and ABS system diagnosis and repair.  Upon completion, students should be able to troubleshoot, adjust and repair braking systems on medium and heavy vehicles. 

This course provides instruction in the identification and repair of components found in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Topics include schematics and symbols used in fluid power transmission and the troubleshooting of components in these systems. Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, adjust, and repair hydraulic and pneumatic system components. 

This course introduces the principles of electronically controlled diesel engines. Emphasis is placed on testing and adjusting diesel engines in accordance with manufacturers' specifications. Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, test, and calibrate electronically controlled diesel engines.

This course introduces operational principles of mechanical medium and heavy duty vehicle transmissions.  Topics include multiple counter shafts power takeoffs, slider idler clutches, friction clutches, mechanical transmission power components, and hydraulics.  Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, inspect and repair mechanical transmissions.  

This course provides instruction in the disassembly, inspection, and rebuilding of diesel and heavy-duty gas engines. Emphasis is placed on the manufacturer's standards and factory recommended service tools and equipment. Upon completion, students should be able to disassemble, inspect, and rebuild engines according to the manufacturer's specifications.  

This course is designed to provide practice in troubleshooting, fault code diagnosis, information retrieval, calibration, repair and replacement of fuel injectors, nozzles, and pumps. Emphasis is placed on test equipment, component functions, and theory. Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, service, and repair fuel systems and governors.

This lab provides reinforcement of material covered in DEM 116 or DEM 125.  The students will apply the knowledge they learned on driveshafts, power take-offs, standard transmissions, fluid drives, torque converters, clutch assemblies, drive axles, and special drives through experiential learning techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, inspect, remove, repair or replace, and install heavy vehicle drive train components.     

This lab allows the student to refine the skills required to repair diesel engines.  

This course introduces the student to basic Electrical / Electronic concepts and fundamentals.  It provides the principles of electricity, magnetism, and Ohm’s Law.  Emphasis is placed on batteries, starting, charging, and lighting circuits, which include series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. Troubleshooting and repair of wiring harnesses, starting motors, charging systems, and accessories are included along with the computerized monitoring of vehicle systems. Upon completion, students should be able to identify components, test systems, and repair minor electrical problems according to manufacturer’s literature. 

This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of operation of computer controlled engine and power train systems.

This course introduces the theory and principles of medium and heavy duty steering and suspension systems. Topics include wheel and tire problems, frame members, fifth wheel, bearings, and coupling systems. Upon completion, students should be able to troubleshoot, adjust, and repair suspension and steering components, and perform front and rear wheel alignments on medium and heavy duty vehicles.

This course provides instruction in fundamentals, diagnosis, and repair of cab and cargo heating and refrigeration systems. Topics include operation theory, safety, maintenance, recycling and recovery procedures, recharging procedures, troubleshooting procedures, refrigerant leaks, and system repairs.

This course provides information on the repairs and current trends in diesel engine emission standards, the diagnosis of these products, and the repair of diesel emission systems as they relate to the exhaust and after-treatment, as well as the employment responsibilities meeting industry standards.  

This course provides instruction in basic entry level driving skills relating to the maintenance and safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Topics include preventive maintenance and safe vehicle operations. Upon successful completion, students will have the skill and knowledge to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

This is a course designed to prepare students for the Alabama Commercial Driver's License written examination. The course includes a review of major topics, sample tests, as well as basic CDL information and test-taking procedures.

This course introduces advanced principles of electronically controlled diesel vehicles.  Emphasis is placed on diesel electronic systems; diagnostic trouble codes (retrieval, analysis and repair), testing (diagrams, trouble trees, sensors, wiring and analysis), and software (adjusting and analysis) in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications.  Upon completion, students should be able to diagnose, test and calibrate multiple electronically controlled diesel vehicle systems.

These courses constitute a series wherein the student works on a part-time basis in a job directly related to diesel mechanics. In these courses the employer evaluates the student's productivity and the student submits a descriptive report of his work experiences. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate skills learned in an employment setting.